Notre Dame de la Garoupe chapel
Visit the Notre Dame de la Garoupe chapel
Only 30 minutes from our gites www.locations-06.fr is the emblematic heritage site of Cap d’Antibes, the Chapelle de la Garoupe, which dates back to the Middle Ages and is an exceptional site offering a remarkable panorama over the town of Antibes Juan-les-Pins and much of the Côte d’Azur.
Legend has it that in ancient times, this place was dedicated to Selene, goddess of the Moon. In the early 4th century, Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, stopped off at Antipolis and asked for a chapel to be built on the plateau.
The building has two naves:
– The main nave, dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Garde, is decorated with a fresco by Jacques-Henri Clergues in 1952/1953, inspired by two historical episodes: Pope Gregory XI’s stopover in Antibes in 1376, and René de Savoie’s gift to enlarge the chapel in 1520.
– The secondary nave, dedicated to Notre-Dame de Bon Port, features a vast fresco painted in 1948 by painter Édouard Collin.
The altarpiece in the choir is the work of master sculptor Joseph Dolle, who also designed the cathedral doors. It has just been completely restored.
It’s a great place to recharge one’s batteries as you stroll along the beaches of Cap d’Antibes or La Salis. It’s a shady place to relax and unwind, right next to the city but far enough away to be just the place for meditation and a return to calm.
Inside the building, you will be struck by the large number of ex-votos of sick people and sailors, as well as boat decorations.
In winter, from December to early January, there’s a lovely nativity scene tour inside the chapel.
So here’s a great idea for a walk just 30 minutes from our gites www.locations-06.fr !
